Boris admits he did discuss how many MPs back a coup against David Cameron – but insists he’s still loyal to the PM
Johnson embroiled in row over Tory succession after admitting talking about possibility of leadership challenge
BORIS Johnson has admitted talking to a fellow Tory MP about the possibility of a leadership challenge against David Cameron.
But the favourite to become the next Prime Minister insisted he is still loyal to the current man in Number 10.
The are reporting the former London Mayor and leading Brexiteer met with Alec Shelbrooke in his House of Commons office this week to discuss how many MPs would back a leadership contest.
He confirmed the meeting took place, but insisted he had talked about “how vital it was to keep the party together under Dave's leadership”.
But it will do little to dampen down the expectations a plot to unseat Mr Cameron will be launched whatever the result of the EU referendum in 11 days time.
Three MPs have already declared publicly they are planning on submitting letters of no confidence in the Prime Minister to Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee.
As head of the Tory backbench group, it is his job to trigger the start of the process to remove a leader once he receives 50 such letters.
So far Nadine Dorries, who has sent a letter, and Andrew Bridgen and Sir Bill Cash, who say they are considering it, are the only people to reveal their intentions, but there may be several more under lock and key in Mr Brady’s office.
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The paper is reporting that Mr Shelbrooke, a Commons aide to pro-Brexit Employment Minister Priti Patel but a Remain supporter was overheard telling a fellow Conservative MP he thought Boris was 'digging'.
When asked if there were the required 50 names, the MP said he had shot back: “No, I don't think there are anything like that. No more than 20 at most.”
Boris is said to have 'hastily' replied: “Yes, yes, of course, I think you are completely right.”
But a source close to Mr Johnson describes that version as “absolute b******s”, saying it was in fact Mr Shelbrooke who initiated the conversation about 50 names.
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